1930–2010.
22 cm of textual records, 1 photo and 2 microfilm reels.
Administrative history
Between the years 1930 and 1949, many Mennonites settled on small farms in the Fraser Valley area. At this time, the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church was established. By the end of the 1940s, however, membership at South Abbotsford increased to over 500, and the existing building allowed little room for additional growth. To solve this problem, two options were considered: one, build a bigger church, and, two, divide existing members into two distinct churches. Eventually, members settled on option two, establishing a daughter church, which was then called the Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church, later named Central Heights MB Church (1966), and, subsequently, Central Heights Church (1991). Organization of the new church took place in January of 1950, when 197 members transferred from South Abbotsford to the new congregation.
Jacob Martens and Henry Krahn planned the new building. Land was acquired from Henry Hooge and in the summer of 1949 construction began. Since then, the church increased in number continually, and in April 1981, the congregation decided that it was time to buy additional land for a new sanctuary. Construction of a 1578 seat sanctuary began on March 1, 1985.
Over the years the church has been served by the following pastors: Henry H. Nikkel (1950–1960), Abram H. Wieler (1960–1962), Nick J. Dyck (1962–1973, 1989), Rudy Boschman (1973–1985), Herb Neufeld (1986–1988), Al McVety (1990), Peter Unrau (1991–1996), and Christopher Douglas (1998–2010), Bruce Gordon, Interim (2010- ).
The language of worship is English. The transition from German occured in 1950.
Scope and content
This fonds consists of annual reports; congregational and church council meeting minutes; membership, marriage and family registers; bulletins; a church directory (1993); and a 40th anniversary book 1950–2000.
Notes
- Location: Volume 350, 385.
- Finding aid consists of file list.
- Materials are located under the Canadian Conference of MB Churches inventory classification number BB502, and on microfilm reels 60 and 61.
- Description by Shauna Hudson May 13, 2004. Edited by Donovan Giesbrecht September 2, 2004. Updated by Yvonne Snider-Nighswander October 12, 2011.
- No restrictions on access.
Textual file list
Volume 350
1. Bulletins. -- 1968–1969
2. Bulletins. -- 1970, 1974
3. Bulletins. -- 1987
4. Bulletins. -- 1988
5. Bulletins. -- 1989
6. Bulletins. -- 1990
7. Bulletins. -- 1991
8. Bulletins. -- 1993
9. Bulletins. -- 1994
10. Bulletins. -- 1995
11. Bulletins. -- 1996
12. Bulletins. -- 1997
13. Bulletins. -- 1998
14. Bulletins. -- 1999
15. Bulletins. -- 2001
16. Bulletins. -- 2002
17. Bulletins. -- 2003
18. Bulletins. -- 2004
19. 50th Anniversary Book. -- 1950–2000
20. Church Directory. -- 1993
21. Bulletins. -- 1992
Volume 385
1. Bulletins. -- 2005.
2. Bulletins. -- 2006.
3. Bulletins. -- 2000.
4. History of Central Heights MB Church.
5. Church Orientation Class. - lessons.
6. Central Focus. -- 2008
7. Bulletins. -- 2007.
8. Bulletins. -- 2008.
9. Bulletins. Includes
engage (Winter 2009/2010) -- 2009.
10. Bulletins. -- 2010.
Microfilm file list
Reel 60
Annual Reports (missing 1965). 1961–1970. -- p. 2269–2442
Congregational Meeting Minutes. Dec 1949–Dec 10, 1953. -- p. 1914–2024
Congregational and Church Council Minutes. Dec 1953–Dec 1960. -- p. 1530–1913
Congregational and Church Council Minutes. Jan 1961–Dec 1966. -- p. 2025–2268
Reel 61
Membership, Family and Marriage register (Book 1). 1950–? -- p. 910–1135
Membership Register. 1977–1978. -- p. 1136–1249
Marriage Register. Aug 1959–Mar 1975. -- p. 1252–1350
Annual Reports. 1970–1977. -- p. 774–909
Congregational and Church Council Meeting Minutes (Jun 1968–Jun 1969 are missing). Jan 1967–May 1968. -- p. 1–58
Congregational Minutes. Jun 1969–May 1978. -- p. 59–277
Church Council Meeting Minutes. Jun 1968–Jun 1978. -- p. 278–773
